Boone County Environmental Education

06/19/2026

All Extension Offices statewide are closed.
We will reopen on June 22, 2026.

06/09/2026

With the help of Brandi, Extension Program Assistant for Environmental Education, our 4-H youth learned about the art of terrariums and how to properly care for them. In just a couple of weeks they will have the opportunity to enter them at the Boone County 4-H and Utopia Fair Kentucky!

Be sure to check out all of the awesome entries, available for viewing at the Lutes Floral Hall from June 22 - 27!

Did you know the public can also enter several classes with their potted succulents, cacti or herbs? Check out page 67 of the catalogue for more details: https://boonecountyfair.org/catalog/mobile/index.html

06/09/2026

In partnership with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Andy McQueen and Jacob Coleman, Agricultural Extension Associates from UK Forestry Extension, led a fantastic Hook & Cook program!

Participants learned the basics of catching and cleaning fish, practiced fileting techniques, sampled recipes, and put their skills on the fishing pole to work at a local pond.



Interested in our Environment? Join the Planting Native for Wildlife webinar, today at 1 PM. Registration (free) is required to receive the Zoom link: https://ukyboone.pacecommunity.net/Event/ViewEventProfile?eventId=19389

05/27/2026

Hike the trails is open to the public today from 10 AM - 2 PM, there will NOT be a guided hike today for Learn the Trails due to the wet conditions.

Join us for the next guided hike on June 3 where we will explore the Yellow Trail: https://ukyboone.pacecommunity.net/Event/ViewEventProfile?eventId=19386

Hike the Trails is open every Wednesday from 10 AM - 2 PM. Visitors are welcome to explore the Nature Center trails at their leisure. The Nature Center is located at 9101 Camp Ernst Road, Union KY.

Learn the three main trails at the Boone County Environmental and Nature Center through these guided hikes so you can feel comfortable hiking on your own during Hike the Trails! – Yellow Trail (0.7 miles)

05/26/2026

Register online at: https://ukyboone.pacecommunity.net/Event/ViewEventProfile?eventId=19389 (Zoom link will be emailed to those registered).

Creating inviting habitat for wildlife can be a feasible goal for any homeowner by learning a few simple tips! Join us to review the needs of different types of wildlife and how you can creating the perfect home in your own backyard.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 1 PM

05/25/2026

All UK Extension offices will be closed on Monday, May 25th, 2026.
We will reopen on Tuesday, May 26th.

05/20/2026

Learn the Yellow Trail was rescheduled for June 3 due to weather. Hike the trails is still open today if you want to explore the nature center at your leisure.

05/20/2026

Did you know Mason Bees are important pollinators for our environment? This native bee flies from flower to flower, flopping down on the flower and collecting pollen on their bellies; This makes them even more efficient pollinators than honey bees.

You can build them their own special bee hotel! You can even use scrap wood (do not use treated wood or cedar). If you'd like to learn more about Bee Hotels, reach out to our Environmental Education Agent, Lacey at [email protected]

The Kentucky Native Bee Society also has a really great informational article on Kentucky's Native Bees:
https://www.knps.org/the-buzz-on-kentuckys-native-bees/

**Please note, Mason Bees do not create their own holes, they use pre-existing holes.

05/18/2026

Join us on a guided hike to learn the Yellow Trail (0.7 miles).

On Wednesday, May 20, 10 AM we will take a guided hike so you can feel comfortable on your own during Hike the Trails! Located at the Boone County Extension Environmental & Nature Center, 9101 Camp Ernst Road, Union KY.

Please register: https://ukyboone.pacecommunity.net/Event/ViewEventProfile?eventId=19386 or call 859-586-6101

05/14/2026

Tomorrow is our first Learn the Trails program of the season. Take a guided hike along the Blue Trail (0.5 miles). Located at the Boone County Extension Environmental & Nature Center, 9101 Camp Ernst Road, Union KY.

Registration is appreciated: https://ukyboone.pacecommunity.net/Event/ViewEventProfile?eventId=1938

The trails are also open every Wednesday from 10 AM - 2 PM for anyone to hike at their own leisure, please check in/out at the shelter house.